Easter :: 12 March [Sunday]

Very early in the morning, the disciples go to Jesus’ tomb to find it empty. The course of human history is changed forever. He is Risen! He is risen indeed!

Passages: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-18

Suggestion: Get up early and read the passages listed above. Rejoice in Jesus and his resurrection from and power over death! Greet people throughout the day saying, "He is Risen!"

Day 40 :: 11 March [Saturday]

Jesus’ body remains in the tomb during the Jewish day of Shabbat (Sabbath).

Passages: Matthew 27:32-66

Suggestion: As Jesus "rested" on the Sabbath, be reminded of the rest that Jesus calls us to. Spend some time resting today by taking a nap or relaxing. Consider reflecting on the Apostles' Creed.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Day 39 :: 10 March [Good Friday]

Jesus is put on trial, flogged, forced to carry his cross, mocked by Roman soldiers and executed in the cruel Roman form of crucifixion on a hill called Golgotha ("the place of the skull").

Passages: Matthew 27:11-61; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 23:26-56; John 19:17-42

Suggestion: Find a cross, or an image of a cross. Spend several minutes looking at and reflecting upon the cross. Consider the significance and centrality of this symbol and what it means almost 2,000 years later. End by praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Day 38 :: 9 March [Thursday]

Today, Jesus and his disciples prepare for the Passover feast and eat the Last Supper together. Here Jesus washes their feet and tells them one will betray him. He and his disciples travel to the Garden of Gethsemane on the side of the Mount of Olives. It is here that Jesus prays and is arrested.

Passages: Matthew 26:17-68; Mark 14:12-52; Luke 22:7-53; John 13:1-18:11

Suggestion: From the perspective of one of the disciples, journal about what you might have felt when Jesus washed your feet and when he was arrested in the Garden.

Day 37 :: 8 March [Wednesday]

Nothing is recorded in Scripture as to what Jesus did on this day, but he certainly would have been thinking how all of human history would be changed in just a few short days.

Suggestion: Spend some significant time in prayer asking God to prepare your heart and allow you to truly grasp the depth and the significance of Easter this weekend.

Day 36 :: 7 March [Tuesday]

On this day, the disciples notice that the tree that Jesus spoke to yesterday had withered. Jesus returns to the temple and teaches. His authority is questioned by the religious leaders. He is also anointed in Bethany.

Passages: Matthew 21:18-23:39, 26:1-13; Mark 11:20-12:44, 14:1-9; Luke 20:1-21:38; John 12:1-11

Suggestion: Reflect upon the teachings of Jesus. Which of the readings sticks out to you the most? Why?

Day 35 :: 6 March [Monday]

Jesus enters the Temple and turns over all of the tables of the moneychangers. He also performs the only miracle of destruction, when he tells the fig tree that it would no longer produce figs.

Passages: Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11-12-19; Luke 19:45-48

Suggestion: Spend some time alone and read the passages listed above out loud.
What might Jesus have been thinking as he knew what would happen to him in the week ahead?

Palm Sunday 2

As followers of Jesus we are called to live the resurrection, to have our eyes and ears focused on the Risen Christ. Jesus’ resurrection is the central event of the Christian faith. As you prepare for Easter, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, this guide will help you navigate through the last week of the life of Jesus, leading up to the Cross and the Resurrection.

Today is the day of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. He comes into Jerusalem riding a donkey while people cheer and lay palm branches and cloaks down along the path.

Passages: Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19

Suggestion: Sometime this week, watch Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ or one of the other films listed on the right, with your LIFEGroup, your friends/family or by yourself.

Day 34 :: 4 April [Saturday]

Read:
Philippians 2:1-11

Reflect:

• According today’s reading, what is the heart of Jesus for you?
• What response is the Father looking for from us?
• How do the character traits of Jesus transfer over into your own life?

Spend some time praising God for what He has done by sending His Son, and ask Him to fill your heart with His character.

• How might you live out the life of Christ more this week?

Respond:
Father forgive me...

for neglecting so great a salvation,
for the words I’ve spoken in anger,
for the words I’ve left unspoken in fear.

Forgive me...

for not trusting you,
for my great indulgences in the world
for not seeking you with my whole heart

I give you thanks for the perfect sacrifice of Jesus.
For the covering I have in Him
Thank you for being a safe place, a refuge for my soul.
May I have the heart and mind of Jesus in all my relationships today.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day 33 :: 3 April [Friday]

Read:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Reflect:

• How does Paul view himself in relation to others?
• How do you see yourself in relation to the people in your life?
• How can you become more “like the people around you” without compromising the gospel in your own life?
• What would this look like?
• As you do this, what are some of the benefits that might come to the people you know?
• What is Paul’s greatest desire, as described in this passage?
• What do you want to be different about the world or about the church or about someone’s life because YOU lived?

Respond:
God, you have loved me with an everlasting love and I am grateful. Give me that same kind of love for the people all around me: my friends, the people I work with, my family, and yes, Lord, even those who I find it difficult to get along with. I confess to you that I think more about myself than about other people and thank you for forgiveness.

Day 32 :: 2 April [Thursday]

Read:
Acts 7

Reflect:

• Have you wanted to be part of a team carrying out a very important mission?

Those who follow Jesus are part of a team that will never be disbanded, with a mission of greatest importance!

• Do you see yourself as part of such a group?

God has called you out of the world, and has designed you in a unique way.
The book of Acts

• has to do with the mission of God's church
• it has to do with calling
• it has to do with living out the Life of Jesus here on earth.

No matter what specific role you have in God’s kingdom, know that you are directly connected to the King.
Read through Acts 7 and ask God to help you see yourself as part of a larger family with a great mission. Ask Him to help you see your role more clearly.
What part would you just love to live out in His kingdom?

Respond:
Captain of the one true army, I want to be on mission with you. I want to be a part of the generation that you raise up to advance your Kingdom into the darkness. Give me clarity to the part you’d have me carry out, and give me courage to follow you with everything that’s in me. For the glory of Jesus, amen.

Day 31 :: 1 April [Wednesday]

4 'whatever' challenges

1 :: Today :: whatever is on your heart to say to God, say it.
Break down the wall that keeps you from being honest with Him... come on, really... you're not fooling Him so try having an honest conversation full of all your fears, frustrations, hopes, dreams, and so on.


2 :: Today :: whatever God would have you share with others, share it.
Break down the wall that prevents your life from bring literal Light into literal Darkness... because that is what is really going on.


3 :: Today :: whatever your usual Christianity looks like, change it.
Break down the wall that says it all takes place "this way" and on "this part of the day/week/month/year."


4 :: Today :: whatever prayer you need to pray for your tomorrow to become wildly more engaging than whatever autopilot you're banking on, pray it.
Break down the wall that demands someone else is supposed to spur on your faith... your relationship with God... your part in the grand mission for your life.

Count all the "your" words in that sentence... notice a trend?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

In our darkness, there is no darkness...

J.S. Bach’s ‘St Matthew Passion’ is one of the powerful, pieces of music that rings so true at this time of year. Bach, recounts the last hours of Jesus life on earth, the meaning of his sacrificial death, and our human response.

In tears of grief, dear Lord, we leave Thee.
Hearts cry to Thee, O Saviour dear.
Lie Thou softly, softly here.

Rest Thy worn and bruised body.
At the grave, O Jesus blest,
May the sinner, worn with weeping
Comfort find in Thy dear keeping,
And the weary soul find rest.
Sleep in peace, sleep Thou in the Father’s breast.

Words much more recent, from Taze come to mind as I think of Bach's musical phrases.

“In our darkness, there is no darkness, for you, oh Lord, the darkest night is clear as the day.” (Taize)

Day 30 :: 31 March [Tuesday]

Read:
Matthew 5:14-16

Reflect:
When Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, do you think he meant for it to stay in a box? Or do you think he meant for the light bulb to generate light?
In the same way, when God shines His light into His people, He also means for us to generate light.

• What does it mean that Christians are the light of the world?
  
• How does the image of putting a light on a stand have to do with generating light?
  
• What are some of the ways you could “let your light shine” before the people you come in contact with today?
  
• What does this passage say the results are?
  
• Look as well at Proverbs 13:9.

Respond:
Shine upon us, O God of lights. Show us the way. Reveal to us Your glory. Then may Your light shine through us as we go today. May my thoughts, my words, my whole life reflect the glory of Jesus. Amen.

Prayer for God’s light to be bright at OCC.
Pray for our Leadership Team: Mark Farrugua, Glenn Gillespie, David Gillett, Phil McLeod, Dan Sawatsky.
Pray for our BAD [Building, Auditorium, Design] teams: Alan Jarvis, Mike Luoma, Ray Scriver, David Gillett,
And pray for God to raise up more leaders as He expands our territory.

Day 29 :: March 30 [Monday]

Read
Matthew 28:16-20
Matthew 10

Reflect
We can talk theology and devotions all day long, but there comes a time when we are called to act.
Read Matthew 28:16-20

• What are we called to do as Christians?

Read Matthew 10

• What are some of the things that disciples do?
• Who are people either rejecting or receiving?

Respond
Oh Lord, how I long to hear your voice and learn what it is to be loved — to thrive, transformed by Your Spirit in a world that seeks to take away Your life in me. I confess that sometimes I drift away from You. I want to walk more closely with You than ever before. Today Lord, I answer You with my whole life... take me and transform me. May I come to know You so personally and powerfully that I can’t help but tell others about who You are. Father God, help me to recognize that the only holy thing in us is Your Holy Spirit... and that if we are to answer Your call, we must relinquish our lives to Your lead.
Fill our whole community with Your presence today, O, Lord! Amen.

Day 28 :: March 28 [Saturday]

Read:
Psalm 62:5-8

Reflect:
How is the journey going?
By this point in the journey you may feel discouraged... why hasn’t God spoken more?
Why can’t I read the Word and pray every day?
You may be realizing that the kind of growth God has in mind doesn’t come easy.
The good news is that it’s not our faithfulness that makes us grow, but God.
So don’t resolve to “do better” to “try harder.”
Instead, ask God to change you. Cling to the One who is perfect... Jesus Christ alone.
And keep walking.

Respond:
My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my hope comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
My rock of strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is our refuge. (Psalm 62.5-8)

Day 27 :: March 27 [Friday]

Read:
Joshua 1:1-9

Reflect:
As you read this passage, what invitation does the Lord give Joshua over and over?

• What are some of the promises God gave to Joshua?
• How does the Word of God relate to the presence of God?
• How do the concepts of listening and obeying go together?

Respond:
Lord, You are present in Your Word, therefore I will study and read and meditate in Your Word all the time. Lord, I give thanks for Your greatness, your goodness, and your love, and I now draw near to enjoy your presence. In Jesus name. Amen

Day 26 :: March 26 [Thursday]

Read:
Psalm 119:33-40

Reflect:
Psalm 119 is all about God’s Word.
As you meditate on verses 33-40, how is God’s word described?
How would you describe the heart of the Psalmist as he wrote this?
How would you describe your heart in relation to God’s Word?

Respond:
Use these words from Psalm 119.33-40 as part of your prayer:
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your ordinances are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me through Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Day 25 :: March 25 [Wednesday]

Read:
Hebrews 1

Reflect:
God is the only being who exists eternally. There has never been a time when God did not exist. As you read and meditate today, think about what it would be like if God decided not to speak to us again — if He hadn’t sent Jesus.

• What would your life be like without God’s Word?
• Would it be any different?
• What would it look like to make God’s Word more central in your everyday life?

Respond:
Father, I want Your Word to be deeply implanted in me so that I not only know the truth, but also express it in the way I live. Move me toward your Word that I might not experience so much fear about my future. Help me cling to your perfect Word, for it brings life, and is flawless in every way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have inherited Your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Day 24 :: March 24 [Tuesday]

Read:
Psalm 1

Reflect:
The Bible is God’s completely true Story about who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. It was given by God to human writers and so reflects their backgrounds, styles, and use of language. The Bible is the final authority on all matters of life.

• Do you believe these things?
• What does God’s Word mean to you?

As you meditate on Psalm 1, consider...

• What should you expect your life to be like if you make God’s instruction central to your walk?
• What are the results of a life apart from God’s Word?

Respond:
God, give me a love for Your Word. Help me understand it. Make it become a part of who I am and how I live. Transform me according to Your Word, for Your Word is perfect. Make it do everything in me that it was intended to do so that I might know You more personally and have a life that is connected to who You are. In Jesus name. Amen.